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Serving the British Columbia horseracing community
www.horseracingbc.ca

The First Stakes Winners Of The Year!

Issue # 28

The George Royal

Jim Reynolds photo
2010 Washington Horse of the Year NOOSA BEACH wins the $50,000 George Royal. with Gallyn Mitchell aboard.Bred and owned by Jeff Harwood and trained by Doris
Harwood the big gelding finished the six and one-half furlongs in a time of 1:16. Noosa Beach is by Harbor the Gold - Julia Rose by Basket Weave.

The Brighouse Belles

Courtesy of Four Footed Fotos
CLASSIC ALLEY KAT, owned by Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella ran the 6 1/2 furlong Brighouse Belles in 1:16. Trained by Elizabeth Stolzenberg and ridden by Keveh
Nicholls Classic Alley Kat, a half sister to last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-year-old filly champion Victory With Class, is by Katahaula County -Classadala by Regal Classic.

Issue # 28

www.horseracingbc.ca

Pandycapping by Bob Pandolfo…
Hastings Racecourse
is a five eighths mile
track. Any track that is
five eighths of a mile
in circumference or
smaller is generally
called a “Bullring.”
On these types of
tracks, horses that
perform well around
tight turns have an advantage. When a horse ships
in, if the horse has no past history at the track,
it’s a guessing game. You don’t know if the horse
will handle the turns. You’ll find that ‘horses for
courses’ will do well at Hastings. This means,
horses that have done well at the track in the
past.
If a horse ships in and is a tempting longshot, look
at the connections for some clue. If the horse gets
one of the top riders, chances are the connections
think it will handle the turns. Also look to see how
the horse raced at other tracks. Horses that have
had success over Bullrings, or even seven eighth
size tracks, like Charlestown, have proven that
they can handle tight turns.
Tactical speed is usually important, but even



more so on a Bullring. With the tight turns and
short stretch, horses that try to rally wide from off
the pace will often lose ground on the turn and
not have enough time to catch up. The only time
I’ll bet a deep closer on a Bullring track is if the
horse is a fit longshot that has proven it races well
around turns, and I expect the pace to be hotly
contested. Be careful about betting closers that are
heavily bet, it’s not worth it.
Not all the races are going to be won by front
runners, however. Horses that can handle turns
well and have tactical speed can win off stalking
trips, which is the best trip in racing. If you are
watching the races, and a horse ships in that has
never raced over the track, look at the horse’s size.
Big horses with long strides tend to have trouble on
Bullrings. Horses that look like sprinters, shorter
and stocky, are generally quicker and built better
to handle tight turns. Many horses that win a high
percentage of their starts on Bullring tracks are
horses that have a sprinter’s action, short, quick,
jackrabbit-like strides, similar to a quarter horse.
Horses with long, loping strides are generally
more suited to a bigger track and less turns.
When the meet opens, check out the trainer stats.
Many of the horses will be coming off layoffs.
If a trainer has a high
percentage (15% or over)
with horses coming off
layoffs, that’s a good sign.
But in the early stages of
the meet, horses shipping
in may have an advantage,
as long as they’ve proven
that they can handle a
Bullring track, or have
done well over the track
in the past.
Even though speed does
well, I’ve always found
that many front runners
are terribly over bet on
Bullring tracks. Everyone
thinks the track is speed
favoring, so they look
for front runners. But the
jockeys will often use
the front runners up and
stalkers will win. Circle
the one or two most
obvious front runners in

the race. Then, cross out the deep closers that
come from far back unless one of them is a proven
multiple winner over the track. The remaining
horses should be the stalkers. Out of the stalkers,
eliminate the ones that appear too slow or out
of form. This should leave you with one or two
stalkers. Look for value. For instance, say you
are left with two stalkers and one is 2-1 and the
other is 8-1, the 8-1 stalker may be the best value.
Stalkers, which are horses that have tactical speed
to sit right behind the front runners, are often the
best bets because the closers are at a disadvantage
and the front runners are over bet.

…Horses to watch at
Hastings this month …by The Barn Rat
BR remark—California races should give him a
fitness edge
Goody Four Feet—23 flat blowout on 13/04
should set him up nicely
Arkhill—38.6 three eighths should get him
there
Seminole Brave—prepping nicely with a good
3/4 move on 13/04
Three Wood—5/8 in 1:00.8,followed by a 1:13.6
3/4 should have him ready
Rocket Roan—training forwardly
Super Steve-had a good 3/4 work on 10/04
BE M Tee—blowout in 34.6 could make the
winners circle
Boone’s Shadow—prepping nicely
Tami’s Stormtrooper—5/8 in 1:00.8 could get
the job done’
Silver City Sam—nice 61/2 furlong work on
09/04

www.horseracingbc.ca

Doc Nick’s Vet Talk
When I first started practice in 1978
the main parasite that we considered
in the horse was the bloodworm.
The worming programs consisted
of stomach tubing the horse with a
worming medication several times
year. The most popular time for
worming was the late fall after the
first frost in order to control bots a stomach worm. The medicines
themselves, carbon disulfide, or
organophosphates, were quite toxic
so it wasn’t unusual to have the
horses get sick after worming. Paste
wormers soon came on the market
and eliminated the need to stomach
tube horses. Newer and safer drugs
also arrived such as ivermectin
which eliminated the majority of the
worms that everyone was concerned
with - for a while!
The bloodworm, a large strongyle
was a major cause of colic.
Since ivermectin controlled large
strongyles, it was hoped that parasite
related colic would no longer be an
issue. At the time of ivermectin’s
introduction, in the early 80s,
resistance was unheard of and
worms seemed to be disappearing
off the face of the earth. In fact, in
the late seventies I had discovered a
skin worm, Onchocerca cervicalis,
which caused extreme skin irritation
around the horse’s head and upper
neck regions. I had even investigated
a specific drug for its control but
when ivermectin was introduced the
parasite was conveniently eliminated
with few realizing its existence.
With everyone merrily worming
their horses with little logic toward
frequency or type it wasn’t long
until the worms started to adapt.
Resistance became an issue. Worms
previously thought to be innocuous
were vying to become dominant in
the parasite hierarchy as disease
causative agents.
By the turn-of-the-century, the dream
of giving your horse an injection
and getting rid of all worms forever
was gone. The injectable form of
ivermectin had been associated with
several deaths. These deaths were
not from the drug but from bacterial
(Clostridial) infections that were
introduced with the needle through
contaminated skin. Regardless,
the company avoided law suits by
withdrawing the injectable from the
market. Wormers belonging to the
benzimidazole family were still useful
at suppressing or killing off the large
Strongyles such as the bloodworm,
but small Strongyles (Cyathostomes)
were taking their place and many
seemed to have developed a
benzimidazole resistance. Once
small Strongyles become resistant to
one benzimidazole then they are also
resistant to all other benzimidazoles
(even though many drug companies

Issue # 28

… Parasites and Worming – a historical perspective

by Dr. Nick Kleider DVM
argued otherwise).
prevent rain related egg dispersal starts to lay eggs.
Then, label claims were found to throughout the pasture. It takes eggs At 12 weeks the fecal sample will
be misleading. One farm I attended nearly a week to transform into an still be negative for roundworms but
was worming their foals monthly infective larval stage that can infect by 8 weeks they are growing in the
with ivermectin. The foals were your horse. You can see that daily foals intestines and can rupture a
getting sufficient groceries but were paddock and pasture cleaning can foal’s intestines, before any eggs are
potbellied, had rough hair coats, have a tremendous impact on
apparent in a fecal sample!
and were “ribby”. We wormed preventing infection.
them with pyrantel pamoate and
the round worms tumbled out with
the manure confirming failure of
ivermectin efficacy in these foals.
Many parasitologists felt that
rotating wormers was similar to
switching antibiotics daily with the
result of developing resistant strains.
Since the life cycle of Strongylus
edentatus (a large strongyle) is 11
months it would be logical to allow
yearly rotation of wormers, thereby
allowing the horse owning consumer
to buy one product in bulk. Many of
the wormers were specific and did not Tapeworms found in manure one day post worming
kill all types of worms which resulted What about stalls? Certain worms So, now that you are totally confused
in new infections. Did killing off one such as roundworms can produce with what to do I think it’s time to put
type of worm allow others to move tremendous numbers of eggs that are a plug in for your veterinarian. Until
in? A farm in Delta had had several extremely adhesive and stick to stall now you could get away with just
cases of fatal colic in some of their walls, water buckets and feed tubs. using the wormers you got from the
yearling thoroughbreds. The owner Besides daily manure disposal, a pharmacy or feed store and go upon
phoned me with another colic case simple and environmentally friendly their advice or the internet. Now I
and asked to bring it into the clinic. solution is hot steam cleaning think consultation with someone up
Upon arrival, the yearling presented according to infection rates—no to date and trained in parasitology is
normally with no more evidence of chemicals needed!
in order. There is a need to discuss
colic. I told the owner he could take What about fecal counts? This is your particular worming program
the horse home but he insisted on a way to assess how frequently one with a veterinarian with extensive
leaving it until we figured out exactly needs to worm and which horses training in parasitology.
what was causing the problem since need worming. In the past it was Factors to consider include the age of
the horse exhibited similar symptoms considered heresy to only worm one your horses, are they stabled, pastured
to the others that had died on the horse in the barn since it was assumed or both? What parasites are prevalent
farm. I told him I had a suspicion of that if one horse was infected then in your area? What wormers to use
either ulcers or tapeworms and since they all would be. If we look at and with what frequency? How often
ulcers did not usually cause death, worming as a control mechanism to to analyse fecal samples and for
tapeworms was top on my list. We prevent transmission then the only what purpose? How is the manure
wormed the horse with praziquantel horse that needs worming is the one disposed and how frequently? You
and the following morning the stall that’s passing infected eggs. Where may be surprised that with your vet
was loaded with dead tapes and their this falls short is when dealing with involved in your program, worming
segments. So, we’ve learned that not non-strongyle type parasites. For cost and frequency may actually
all wormers kill all worms and that example, the roundworm migrates decrease and so will your farm or
rotation of wormers is therefore a inside a foal for 12 weeks before it stable infection rate.
necessary fact of life. We also know
that overuse of wormers can lead to
parasite resistance. Time is running
out and the anti-parasitic drugs we
now take for granted may not be
useful in the near future. What is the
solution? Infection prevention!
When horses are given enough
room they rarely graze infected
areas. Manure should be picked up
or vacuumed up on a daily basis to

2011 Election Results
Harness Racing BC is pleased to announce the results of the 2011 breeder
sector representatives. The ballot results are as follows: Heather Davies (40
votes), John Zahara (32 votes) and Sue Allan (23 votes). Congratulations to
Heather Davies and John Zahara, HRBC would like to take this opportunity
to welcome you to the board of directors.

Standardbred Stakes Payments
Stake payments are near so if you have sold, renamed, traded or purchased
any horses since the last payment date, (May 2010) ages 1 through 4, please
look over the payment forms which you will receive and either inform us of
any changes or pass these forms onto the new owner.
Deadline for the 2011 stake payments have a due date of May 30th, 2011.
When you receive your forms, please bring them to the office when making
your payments – the wrong entry may make you ineligible.
BC Bred Bonus — April 1, 2010 To December 31, 2010
The Broodmare and BC Bonus awards will soon be ready for distribution.
Please note that changes for the BC Bonus Program beginning April 1, 2010
through December 31st is as follows:
☛ BC bonus to be paid to 2, 3, 4, and 5-year-olds only
☛ BC bonus to be paid on $5,000 claiming and up
☛ BC bonus paid on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position only
☛ Maiden through invitation ( including all stakes) of $5,000 maximum
☛ BC broodmare bonus to be paid on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position only,
except on $4,000 claimers.
Effective January 2011
Please be advised that beginning January 1, 2011 the following changes to
the BC Bonus Program shall be applied:
☛ BC bonus to be paid to 2, 3, and 4-year-olds only
☛ BC bonus to be paid on $5,000 claiming and up
☛ BC bonus paid on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position only
☛ Maiden through invitation (including all stakes) of $5,000 maximum
☛ BC broodmare bonus to be paid on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position only,
except on $4,000 claimers.

Two-Year-Old Bonus Membership
This is to inform you that the current bonus for BC 2-year-olds have come to
a close. In October of 2010, the board of directors motioned to have a bonus
paid to all 2-year-old BC bred horses to receive 100% money earned in all
overnight races, excluding stake races or legs/eliminations, and to be paid to
the top five finishers for a maximum budget of $100,000 We would like to
take this opportunity to congratulate all the horses/owners that participated
in this bonus.
The HRBC board of directors have worked very diligently trying to turn the
racing industry around and although the bonus has come to a close for the
2-year-olds of 2010, it takes great pleasure to announce that HRBC will be
continuing the bonus for the 2-year-olds of 2011.
Foal Incentive Membership:
In 2010 a foal incentive program was designed by HRBC to assist breeders
with the cost that is incurred with the onset of breeding.
This award was designed to give the owner of a mare foaling a BC Bred foal
in BC, (BC Bred foal as currently defined as a horse that has been foaled
in British Columbia out of a mare owned or leased by a British Columbia
resident at the time of foaling), a cash payment of $500 per foal.
At the board of director’s meeting, April 12, 2011, HRBC directors voted
to increase the Foal Incentive Payment from $500 to $1,000 to be awarded
to the foals of 2012 under the eligibility as governed under the definition of
‘BC Bred Foal’ as stated above.
If you should have any further need of clariﬁcation on any of these
matters please contact the HRBC ofﬁce at 604-574-5558.

Issue # 28

Marian Young Passes
Longtime BC harness horse owner
Marian Young passed away April 18
in Langley, BC after a long battle with
cancer. She was in her 81st year.
Young raced horses for 50 years
with husband and trainer Bill Young,
starting at Patterson Park in Ladner and
continuing right through to the closing
night at Fraser Downs April 15th. In
between they also raced at Sandown
Park on Vancouver Island, Edmonton,
Los Angeles and Sacramento.
Some of her top horses included Dusty Counsel, Plucky Dauber, Wilmar
Annie, Pace On By, Clever Defence, Ferguson Road, Woodmere Windrop
and Dutch Scarlet. She got her last win on Fraser's closing night when KG
Mattattack paced to victory.
Marian worked tirelessly for the sport with much of her focus on the BC
Harness Hall of Fame. Until slowed down by health problems, Marian also
conducted backstretch tours at Fraser.
The BC harness association this year named a race in honour of Marian and
she was on hand for the Marian Young Pace on March 27.
In addition to Bill, Marian is survived by daughters Lesley and Janet and
five grandchildren. She was predeceased by son Billy.
There will be no service by request, but a celebration of life will take place
Saturday, October 1 from noon to 3:00 p.m. in the clubhouse at Fraser
Downs.
Also, donations to fight cancer may be made on behalf of Marian's two
granddaughters, Amanda Botic and Kate Mackay, who are participating in
the 60 km 'Weekend To End Women's Cancers Walk' on August 13-14.
Please join Standardbred Canada and BC horsemen in offering condolences
to the family and friends of Marian Young
reprinted courtesy Standardbred Canada

BC Stallion Stakes
Stepuptotheplate a three-year-old colt owned and bred by Leslie Godlien
handily won the 2011 Stallion Stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings
at Fraser Downs April 15th. Trained and driven by Godlien’s husband Rick
Lancaster (who came out of retirement for the event) the big colt paced the
mile in 1:55.3.
Stepuptotheplate is by Seven Seas Cruiser out of Maxillas Memory by J JS
Somerset.

BC Horsemen Do Their Partâ&#x20AC;Ś

www.horseracingbc.ca

to help fund the New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society
British Columbia horsemen have developed a generous new funding
initiative to secure the future of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
The British Columbia Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association
(BCTOBA) and Hastings Racecourse have created a program to help fund
the New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society. The initiative enables
Thoroughbred owners to redirect a portion of their winnings towards the care
of retired racehorses. Owners can now transfer 0.5% (half of one percent)
of their first, second, and third place earnings directly to New Stride and
receive a tax receipt for their contributions.
Hastings has dedicated their September 5th racing card to the Society. The
feature events of the day are a pair of $30,000 stakes races for 2 year-old
horses, named after New Stride. Hastings has also granted New Stride with
their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Community Day at the Trackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; program; an initiative that includes a
direct donation of $5,000, exclusive use of the Marquee Tent for fundraising
purposes, and a food and beverage donation of $1,500.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re extremely grateful to BCTOBA and Hastings Racecourse for their
very generous support of our cause,â&#x20AC;? said Marcy Emery, President of New
Stride. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These much-needed funds will expand our program two-fold and
help us place more retired racehorses into adoptive homes.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The horsemen are taking responsibility for these majestic animals and are
helping to protect the integrity of the racing industry,â&#x20AC;? said Leif Nordahl,
Vice President and Treasurer of the British Columbia Thoroughbred Owners
& Breeders Association. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hastings is offering $10 million in purse money
this year; so 0.5% of earnings has the potential to translate into significant
funding for the horses when their careers are over.â&#x20AC;?
New Stride is a registered charity dedicated to finding adoptive homes and
alternative careers for Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete. The charity
was founded at Hastings in 2002 by a group of concerned owners, breeders
and backstretch workers who sought to provide a dignified retirement for as
many Thoroughbreds as possible.
During its existence New Stride has placed over 90 Thoroughbreds into
adoptive homes and assisted many owners and trainers in connecting horses
coming off the track with opportunities for new careers and homes. The
organization also offers assistance to Thoroughbred owners outside the
racing community in the form of information, advice and free advertising of
horses for sale on its website.
For more information, visit: www.newstride.com

Issue # 28

Thoroughbred News

New Wagers at Hastings

Hastings Racetrack is offering some new wagers and the lowering of the
takeout which, hopefully, will be the start of increasing the live handle. The
live handle is BC racingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest source of income by percentage for all
parties sharing in the allocation of funds as directed by the BC Horse Racing
Committee. Last year the live handle at Hastings was just over $30 million
dollars out of just over $180 million dollars bet on all sources in British
Columbia and equalling 1/6 of total funding.
New Wagers:
$2 base WPS: All races
$1 base Exacta: All races
$1 base Triactor: All races with 5 or more entries
$.20 base Superfecta: All races with 6 or more entries
$1 base Daily Double: First race and second to last race
$1 base Pick 3: Second race and third to last race
$.20 base Pick 4: Fourth to last race (eight race card starts
race 5, nine race card starts race 6)
$1 base Pick 5: Fifth to last race (eight race card starts at
race 4, nine race card starts race 5)

The Good Old Days

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Mare Care

www.horseracingbc.ca

Issue # 28

Management of ﬁrst breeding of the season : Foal heat to 30 day heat (second heat).

Dr. Farshad Malouﬁ, DVM, Msc .,
This article will brieﬂy review
some important facts with regards
to reproductive
physiology and
hormonal management of the ﬁrst
breeding of the season in the period
from foal heat to 30-day (second
heat).
As with most mammals, mares have
their first ovulation after foaling
in about one half the time of their
normal heat cycle. Once the mare
foals, the ovaries are stimulated to
start cycling and the mare starts
from a stage similar to that of being
one half way through a normal heat
cycle.
Mares usually first come into heat
by six to ten days postpartum. The
average interval from foaling to first
ovulation is ten days, though mares
may ovulate as early as seven to
eight days or as late as 14 to 15 days

post foaling.
Foal Heat Breeding—the
importance of ultrasound
examinations:
Often owners or breeding
managers need to decide
whether or not to breed
mares on the foal heat.
Generally breeding on
foal heat has the following
advantages:
(1) It lowers the odds that
mares foaling early in the
year will re-enter anestrus
after the foal-heat ovulation
(often called Lactational
anestrus—when mares ovaries
return into an inactive stage for an
extended period of time after first
ovulation post foaling), yet remain
unbred, which would increase the
parturition-to-conception interval;
(2) It avoids a delay of about two
weeks in the foaling date the next
year if mares are first bred on 30-day
heat. Reviews of breeding records
indicate that mares initially bred on
their foal heat will maintain a foaling
interval of approximately 12 months.
(3) Cumulative season pregnancy
rates for mares first mated on foal
heat are often just as good as mares
first mated later in the breeding
season.
Based on reviews of large amounts
of data collected from breeding farms
over several years for mares bred on

ATTENTION CONSIGNORS!

The WTBOA
SUMMER YEARLING
and
MIXED SALE

foal heat the age of the mare, and
accumulation of intra-uterine ﬂuid
at the time of foal heat breeding were
the main factors that lowered foalheat pregnancy rates and increased
foal-heat pregnancy losses.
A longer interval from foaling to
first heat often provides more time
for the mare’s uterus to return back
to normal size and shape, and expel
fluid and contamination that remains
in the uterus during the process of
foaling. Considering an ultrasound
exam in foal heat, particularly mares
that come into heat later, may help
breeding managers and mare owners
to make a better decision as to
whether to breed mares on the foal
heat.
Second Heat Breeding: (30-Day
Breeding)
In general, mare owners are
encouraged not to breed mares
during the foal heat period if mares
experienced foaling or postpartum
complications (i.e. dystocia, retained
placenta, prolonged discharge, etc.)
resulting in a decreased foal heat
pregnancy rate or an increased
embryonic loss rate. Consequently, it
may be advisable to breed such mares
on the second postpartum estrus (30
day heat) or a later heat period.
When planning to breed on second
heat on 30 days mare owners
should have their mares examined
by ultrasound on day 24 to 25 post
foaling. It is not unusual for mares
with uterine inflammation due to
postpartum complications to naturally
shorten their inter-estrus interval
(having cycles that are abnormally
shorter). Such mares may come into
heat and ovulate a few days before
day 30, post foaling.
It is a common practice to use
hormones such as prostaglandins
(Lutalyse® , Estrumate®, etc.) to
shorten the inter estrus interval

between foal heat and second estrus
of 30 days post foaling.
When planning to use these
hormones it is important to know
the date for ‘last day of foal heat’
or the date of ‘ovulation during foal
heat’. These hormones are effective
if administered four to five days
after ovulation. In case mare owners
are not able to tease their mares or
ultrasound examinations are not
performed, one may assume most
of the mares ovulate on 10±2 days
post foaling, and therefore injection
of these hormones on day 16 to 18
should be effective. The majority
of mares will start showing signs
of estrus in three to four days and
ovulate in seven to nine days after
administration of these hormones.
When these hormones are used, a
careful reproductive examination of
the mare’s reproductive system is very
important. In case there are large size
follicles on mare ovaries (>30 mm),
there is a possibility of ovulation in
two to three days without showing
typical signs of heat. This information
helps mare owners to send these
mares to breeding sheds ASAP to
avoid the frustration of missing a
cycle. Also during this examination
detection of any intra-uterine fluid
may indicate the need for collection
of uterine samples for culture and
cytology. Such samples may help
identify possible infectious causes
for fluid accumulation and the start
of appropriate antibiotic therapies,
uterine lavage or other treatments
accordingly.
Horses and jockeys mature
earlier than people—which is
why horses are admitted to
race tracks at the age of two,
and jockeys before they are
old enough to shave.
– Dick Beddoes

As in most professional sports,
athletes seldom compete on a day to
day basis without the complications
of pain and injury. Here is a look
at horseracing from a jockey’s
perspective by former champion
jockey Brian Johnson
As a kid I broke my right leg in a
skiing accident. An incident I would
live to regret. When I decided to
become a jockey I learned the basics
of riding in the show ring which
began with heels down and toes
in. It was that damn toes in thing
that finally caught up with me! The
recovery from the fracture resulted
in very poor alignment as I healed
quite predominately “toed out”
When I started galloping racehorses
and ultimately began my career as a
jockey the additional pressure from
being toed out combined with the
posture required to work horses and
ride races quickly began to take its
toll on my knee.
I was at Golden Gate Fields living
with trainer Sonny O’Connell and
his right hand man, Quint McCabe.
My knee was sore every day after
training so Quint would do me
up in one of Sonny’s secret Irish
sweats. As good as the potion was it
just wasn’t enough, so Quint figured
we’d better call in the track vet, Doc
Davies. The Doc knew what to do.
“Yup, he said, “we gotta’ cortisone
this.”
Come on! He was a Doctor right?
I returned home to Vancouver to
ride first call for Sonny and got off
to a leading rider start. I still recall

the sour look I often saw on Basils
face when this 18 year old hot
shot apprentice showed up to knock
him off his throne. Unfortunately
my glory was short lived as I sadly
had to hang em’ up after only three
weeks to undergo surgery on my
right knee.
I had a few months off and on my
return, found things a little tougher.
I still had pain in my knee but
pushed on regardless. Ultimately
the relentless pain forced me to pull
up again. I required another knee
surgery. I recall having thoughts that
the first doctor hadn’t done such a
good job. That was confirmed when
the second surgeon commented on
the previous work … “Who the hell
did this?”
The following spring I was back
in action. A few days into training,
the track froze up so we had to shed
row a few of the babies. The worst
one of the bunch freaked out and
body slammed me to the ground. I
landed square on my back, on the
hardest part of the shed row. I knew
I hurt something as the next day
was the first of countless mornings I
struggled just to get my socks on.
I was still very young but the knee
didn’t bend much anymore so I had
to ride a little longer and cock it out
when sitting on a horse. After every
race day it blew up and often the
relentless ache woke me during the
night.
The back became a nightmare. Sharp
pain, burning, and muscle spasms
became my every day enemy. I had
countless sessions with renowned
physiotherapist Alex McKechnie.
He and Greg Moro, our jocks room
paramedic/trainer became the two
best guys on my team. The prerace program included heat therapy,
stretching, massage, a daily dose of
Tylenol and some creative taping.
Followed up with regular time on the
table after the races with ice packs
on my back.
I rode with the pain for many years.
On the backside they could see me
coming from a distance, as I had a bit
of a bad way of going. The worst days
getting on a horse I would hold tight
to the saddle to keep myself rigid.
If I moved the resulting muscle
spasms were shocking. In hindsight,

Issue # 28

when I think of the day I was stuck
on the floor on my hands and knees
and couldn’t get up, how ridiculous
it was that I would even consider
riding that night.
In 1997 I finally got a break …
leaving the gate my horse stumbled
and flipped me over his head. The
result landed me in Lions Gate
Hospital for back surgery and a
fractured clavicle.
The ensuing rehab consisted of
intensive physiotherapy with my old
friend Alex. Six days a week, 3 hours
a day for four months. Ultimately
I made it back to the races. I may
not have been 100% but I felt fairly
certain I was ready to go. After about
a week in… I was in the paddock with
trainer Peter Stephens. He threw me
up and “something went“ I booked
off and laid down in the jocks room.
The pain was so intense I swear
I could smell it. I ended up back
at Lions Gate Hospital to undergo
another back surgery to remove a
bone chip.
The second recovery was every
bit as difficult and was further
complicated when I found the insurer
would not honour my disability
claim as they called it a “recurring
injury” My friend Alex knowing this
provided me with the use of 8 rinks
physiotherapy free of charge.
Yes, I returned to ride. And ride well
I might add. With just the knee to deal
with and much less back pain I was

Sutton - Premier Realty
Bus: 604 - 581-8400

E-mail brianj@sutton.com

New Listing!

#331 7377 Salisbury Av Burnaby
$275,000

Great Price for a Super Location.
The Beresford is an attractive,
well managed building with
beautifully landscaped gardens.
Unique 3 level unit offers
dramatic custom designed Loft,
open floor plan, high ceilings,
big windows and sliders to
massive south facing roof top
deck. Easy walk to Highgate
and Skytrain.

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du

Re

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S
With the new day-care facility finally open Hastings GM Raj ‘Just a Kid
Himself’ Mutti plays with some of the local East Vancouver kids that will
use the facility.

as committed as ever to succeed.,
and once again found myself among
the top 5 jockeys.
The following 3 years were my
most self fulfilling years of riding.
Until August 15th, 2001 when riding
a horse named Charming Peter. He
had good speed, but he also had a bit
of a funky way of going. If I let him
run he would smooth out and feel
much better. We left the gate running
but he felt a bit worse this time, I
vaguely recall thinking this might
not be such a good idea, but again I
let him run hoping he would smooth
out. WRONG …he snapped it and
down we went.
Over the years there were many
times I hit the ground and luckily
bounced right back up. However, as
I lay on the track and attempted to
sit up I clearly recall thinking …you
ain’t getting up this time fella.
When I went down, the rest of them
went over me and the last horse in
the field stepped square on my chest.
I was rushed to the hospital with very
low expectations of surviving the
night. After proving them wrong…
I awoke to multiple rib fractures, a
collapsed lung, fractured arm and
a broken knee. I was fitted with a
breathing tube so I couldn’t talk.
With my family by my side, I
motioned for something to write on.
I passed my daughter the note. She
chuckled as she read, “You gotta’ be
tough if you wanna’ be a cowboy”

25151 32 Ave.
$1,540,000

Just around the corner from Otter Co-

Op. 3 level home and mobile for farm
help. 12 stall barn with lounge plus 7
stall hip roof barn. 18.5 acres of lush
ﬁelds and paddocks. Great views to the
north from back 10 acres. Old training
track requires updating but offers a
great opportunity to farm train.

10128 172 St.
$898,000

5200 sq. ft. Custom Built Executive
Home on DOUBLE LOT in Fraser
Heights. Indoor Pool & Large BBQ patio add to entertainment value of this
unique home. Short walk to Paciﬁc
Academy and Bothwell Elem. A super
investment in a great neighborhood!